Joel Embiid has been the textbook definition of the MVP for the past couple of seasons. No player has had the same level of impact that Embiid has had on the Philadelphia 76ers. In mid-January, the Sixers were leading contenders for a guaranteed playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. However, their season took a turn for the worse when Embiid sustained a meniscus tear against the Warriors in late January.

Since then, the Sixers have struggled to pick up wins consistently. In fact, Philly has recorded just 13 wins from 40 matches that Embiid has missed. Now, the Sixers have relinquished the guaranteed playoff spot that they held for the majority of the season. They currently occupy the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference standings, with less than 10 regular season games remaining.

However, Joel Embiid’s return is right around the corner, as images of him practicing with the Sixers surface. The overriding sentiment is that Embiid would be fit to participate in the playoffs. Embiid’s return would greatly benefit the Sixers’ postseason ambitions.

Even NBA insider, Tim Bontemps drew parallels between Embiid’s impending return to Michael Jordan’s comeback from a navicular bone injury in 1986. During a conversation on the Hoops Collective podcast, Tim said, “This is going to be a loaded comparison, but I went and looked it up. Michael Jordan messed up his navicular bone in the 1985-86 season. He came back in mid-March, and he had a very gradual ramp up in minutes.”

While parallels between MJ and Embiid could certainly be drawn, Embiid will have less time to return to match fitness, given that there are only 8 regular season games left. However, the Sixers are a scary proposition to face with Embiid in the starting lineup even for title contenders like the Celtics and the Nuggets.

Could the Sixers make an improbable title charge with Joel Embiid?

Fans of the Philadelphia 76ers have received a massive boost, with Joel Embiid back in the fray. Embiid was the MVP frontrunner before suffering a knee injury. He has averaged 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.7 in 34 regular season games. Apart from Embiid, the Sixers also possess the likes of Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, and Kelly Oubre Jr.

Furthermore, the strategic brilliance of head coach Nick Nurse has completely rejuvenated the Sixers organization, who lost a player of James Harden’s quality early in the season. With the playoffs beginning on 16th April, fans of the Sixers can only hope that Joel Embiid regains his match fitness because the Sixers’ playoff ambitions are inadvertently tied to his performance.

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So, what are your thoughts? Could the Sixers make an improbable title run? Let us know in the comments below!

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